Hit and Run Accident Lawyers in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Hit-and-run accidents are on the rise, and whether you are a pedestrian or fellow driver, you could become a victim. If you are involved in a hit and run accident, you need an attorney who can defend and protect your rights. We also represent victims of car accidents and specialize in uninsured motorist claims.
When a driver flees the scene of an accident, victims are often left dealing with serious injuries, property damage, and no clear path to compensation. Florida law requires all drivers to stop and exchange information after an accident, but unfortunately, many drivers panic and flee. Our experienced attorneys know how to track down hit-and-run drivers and identify all available sources of compensation for victims.
Understanding Hit and Run Accidents
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without providing contact information, rendering aid to injured parties, or reporting the accident to authorities. This is a serious crime in Florida with both civil and criminal consequences.
Types of Hit and Run Accidents
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle: A driver hits another car and flees the scene
- Pedestrian Accidents: A driver strikes a pedestrian and leaves without helping
- Bicycle Accidents: A vehicle hits a cyclist and drives away
- Motorcycle Accidents: A car collides with a motorcycle and flees
- Parking Lot Incidents: A driver damages a parked vehicle and leaves without leaving information
- Property Damage: A driver crashes into fences, mailboxes, or other property and leaves
Why Drivers Flee the Scene
Drivers leave accident scenes for various reasons:
- Driving Under the Influence: Fear of DUI charges
- No Insurance: Driving without required insurance coverage
- Suspended License: Operating with a suspended or revoked license
- Outstanding Warrants: Avoiding arrest for other crimes
- Panic: Fear of consequences leads to poor decisions
- Distraction: In some cases, drivers don’t realize they caused an accident
Protect Your Rights After a Hit and Run
Our attorneys defend and protect your rights after hit-and-run accidents.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
Taking quick action after a hit-and-run can help identify the driver and protect your rights:
- Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries
- Call 911 Immediately: Report the hit-and-run to police right away
- Document Everything: Take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
- Gather Information: Try to note the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate, and direction of travel
- Find Witnesses: Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident
- Look for Surveillance: Check for nearby security cameras that may have captured the incident
- Seek Medical Attention: Get examined immediately, even for seemingly minor injuries
- Notify Your Insurance: Report the hit-and-run to your insurance company
- Contact an Attorney: Speak with a hit-and-run accident lawyer before giving recorded statements
Florida Hit and Run Laws
Florida takes hit-and-run accidents seriously with strict penalties:
Criminal Penalties
- Property Damage Only: Second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail
- Injury to Another Person: Third-degree felony, up to 5 years in prison
- Serious Bodily Injury: Second-degree felony, up to 15 years in prison
- Death: First-degree felony, up to 30 years in prison
Driver Obligations
Florida law requires drivers involved in accidents to:
- Stop immediately at the scene or as close as possible
- Provide name, address, and vehicle registration to other parties
- Show their driver’s license upon request
- Render reasonable assistance to injured persons
- Report the accident to law enforcement if there are injuries or significant damage
Compensation After a Hit and Run Accident
Even if the hit-and-run driver isn’t found, you may still recover compensation:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Your own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage typically covers hit-and-run accidents. This coverage compensates you for injuries when the at-fault driver can’t be identified or doesn’t have insurance.
Available Damages
- Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery
- Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional trauma
- Property Damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement (through collision coverage)
- Permanent Disability: Compensation for lasting impairments
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed in a hit-and-run
Investigating Hit and Run Accidents
Our attorneys work diligently to identify hit-and-run drivers:
Evidence Collection
- Reviewing police reports and accident scene investigations
- Obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras
- Interviewing witnesses to get vehicle descriptions
- Analyzing paint transfer and vehicle debris at the scene
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Checking for damaged vehicles at local body shops
Social Media and Public Appeals
Sometimes publicizing hit-and-run accidents through social media and news outlets can generate tips that lead to identifying the driver.
We Fight for Hit and Run Victims
Don’t let a hit-and-run driver escape justice. We’ll work to find them and get you compensation.
Challenges in Hit and Run Cases
Hit-and-run cases present unique challenges:
- Unknown Driver: Difficulty recovering compensation when the at-fault party can’t be found
- Insurance Disputes: Your own insurance company may contest your UM claim
- Limited Evidence: Lack of driver information makes proving the accident difficult
- Time Constraints: Evidence disappears quickly after accidents
- Coverage Gaps: Not all policies have adequate UM coverage
An experienced hit-and-run attorney can overcome these obstacles and maximize your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’m a victim of a hit and run?
Call 911 immediately to report the accident and get medical help. Document everything you can remember about the vehicle and driver, gather witness information, take photos, and contact an attorney as soon as possible. Time is critical in hit-and-run cases.
Can I still get compensation if the driver is never found?
Yes. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your auto insurance policy, it should cover your injuries even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified. This coverage treats hit-and-run drivers the same as uninsured drivers.
What if I was a pedestrian hit by a car that fled?
Pedestrians injured in hit-and-run accidents can recover through their own UM coverage (if they have auto insurance), a family member’s UM coverage, or through other sources. Our attorneys identify all available insurance policies that may provide coverage.
How long does it take to resolve a hit-and-run case?
Timeline depends on whether the driver is found and how your insurance company handles the claim. If using UM coverage, cases typically take 6-18 months. If the driver is located, it may take longer but could result in additional compensation through criminal restitution.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a UM claim?
Generally, filing a UM claim for a hit-and-run should not increase your insurance rates since you were the victim of a crime. However, insurance companies sometimes try to raise rates unfairly. An attorney can help protect against this.
What happens if the hit-and-run driver is eventually found?
If the driver is identified, you may pursue additional compensation directly from them or their insurance company. They will also face criminal charges. Any recovery from your UM claim may need to be reimbursed if you receive compensation from the at-fault driver.
Contact Our Palm Beach Gardens Hit and Run Attorneys
If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Palm Beach Gardens, whether as a driver or pedestrian, you need an attorney who can defend and protect your rights. Our experienced legal team knows how to navigate the complexities of hit-and-run cases, work with law enforcement to identify fleeing drivers, and maximize your recovery through insurance claims.
Contact us at our conveniently located office: 7711 N Military Trl, Suite 464, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Get Justice After a Hit and Run
Don’t wait. Contact our hit-and-run accident attorneys today.